Founded by landscape designer and director Heath Blair, Plume Studio approaches the garden as a story unfolding between people and place. Each project begins with an understanding of how clients live and what they value, allowing daily rituals, architecture and the character of the site itself to shape the design.
We sit down with Blair to discuss the philosophy behind Plume Studio, his design process from concept to completion, and how Australia’s diverse landscapes continue to shape the gardens he creates.
In partnership with Plume Studio
Every practice has a unique approach to landscape architecture. How would you describe your design philosophy, and what key principles guide the work you create?
Heath Blair: Our approach to landscape architecture is quite similar to how an architect approaches the design of a home. We begin by reading the site carefully to understand where the real opportunities lie—its orientation, views, existing vegetation, topography and relationship to the architecture.
But for me, the emotional side of landscape design comes from much earlier experiences. I spent a lot of time gardening with my grandfather as a child, and just as much time wandering through scrub and bushland. I was always allowed to explore and never quite knew what was around the next corner. That sense of curiosity and discovery has stayed with me and continues to influence how I think about landscapes today.
Because of that, I’m not particularly interested in gardens that feel too linear or overly controlled. I like landscapes to unfold gradually, almost theatrically. There might be framed views, moments of compression and release, or unexpected planting compositions that create a sense of surprise as you move through the garden.
Of course, we begin with how our clients live, how we can complement the architecture and how they want to experience the outdoors, but we’re always looking to push the brief further—testing spatial ideas, materials and planting strategies that elevate the landscape beyond the expected.
Heath Blair, founder of Plume Studio & landscape designer and architect | Portrait by Martina Gemmola
Prioritising restraint in the built elements, Plume Studio creates spaces for planting to breathe and the garden to develop organically. The Court Yard House by Plume Studio | Photography by Sarah Pannell
Lempriere by Plume Studio | Photography by Martina Gemmola
What does your design process typically look like, from concept to completion?
Heath Blair: Every project begins with time spent on site. Often with the home’s architect, collaborating on their plans and walking the land. This allows us to understand how light moves across it, where views reveal themselves and what existing elements should be celebrated or reframed.
Early ideas are explored through hand sketches before moving into more resolved 2D and 3D modelling. We think about the landscape architecturally—how indoor and outdoor spaces connect and how outdoor spaces unfold.
Importantly, the design continues to evolve during construction. Being on site allows us to test ideas in real time, refining details and pushing moments further as the landscape begins to take shape. We’re constantly asking how the design can go further—creating outdoor environments that invite use throughout the year, whether in the warmth of summer evenings or the quieter months of winter.
Australian landscapes are diverse and often challenging. How does your work respond to the local climate, ecology, and cultural context?
Heath Blair: Working in Australia demands a deep respect for the conditions of place. Climate, soils and local ecologies establish the framework for how a garden can genuinely thrive.
Rather than imposing a design onto the land, we allow those conditions to guide it. The planting palette, spatial structure and material choices are all informed by the site’s inherent character, ensuring the landscape feels grounded in its environment.
Over time, those layers become richer. Seasonal shifts, growth and subtle change allow the garden to evolve, strengthening its sense of place and longevity. A landscape should mature alongside the people who live within it.
Looking ahead, what emerging movements or ideas in landscape architecture are they influencing your projects?
Heath Blair: There’s a noticeable shift toward landscapes that feel more intuitive and less overly controlled and predictable. Planting is becoming more layered and expressive, allowing colour, texture, height variations, form and seasonal change to shape the experience of a garden.
For us, the opportunity lies in balancing those ideas—creating a clear spatial framework while allowing the planting to introduce a sense of movement and unpredictability. The most compelling landscapes today are those that continue to evolve, revealing new moments as they mature.
In Temple House by GOLDEN, Plume Studio envisioned the landscape to frame the home, with an external palette of soft, sandy-white tones complementing the layered foliage | Photography by Timothy Kaye
“Our process always begins on site. We spend time observing, walking and collecting small materials—anything that reveals the site’s character and helps us unpack the context.”
— HEATH BLAIR, PLUME STUDIO FOUNDER
Prioritising restraint in the built elements, Plume Studio creates spaces for planting to breathe and the garden to develop organically. The Court Yard House by Plume Studio | Photography by Sarah Pannell